Challenges and benefits of mixed-use buildings
Mixed-use facilities are now commonplace in the commercial real estate market.
A development can be called “mixed use” when it has three or more revenue-generating uses, which can include retail, residential, office, and entertainment, among others.
All the functional parts should also be closely integrated by way of uninterrupted walkable connections.
The upside
Like everything else, however, mixed-use development is not without its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
“A mixed-use center is, in my opinion, a lot more appealing to the marketplace. It’s got that 24/7 feel, where you can walk from your residence and get on the street, and you can go shopping and go to the bar or the restaurant, and you don’t have to get in your car. It’s got a lot more curb appeal.” – Sean Davis, principal at Morris & Ritchie Associates
1. Mixed-use properties are efficient because, as Sean Davis mentioned in the quote above, you can have access to a lot of services in just one setting – so it’s one way to conserve or maximize land resources. Similarly, a mixed-used development presents opportunities for building and energy efficiency , making them friendly to the environment.
2. Reduced long-term maintenance costs are another advantage because of the proximity of uses, including many which are stacked vertically.
3. Uses will evolve thanks to builders and property owners who are coming up with more new ways to utilize the facilities.
The downside
Preventing mixed-use developments from being the perfect residential set up are the following issues:
1. Lack of parking space is a dilemma often encountered by occupants and visitors of a mixed-use facility. From implementation of parking policies to working out the relationship between different spaces and their uses, parking can create quite a headache. Oh, and did we mention that the traffic can get heavy? Yikes.
2. Noise transfer from commercial to residential areas seems like the tradeoff to convenience. It can be problematic especially if a residential unit is located close to a restaurant or a nighttime bar. Ditto for related irritants like cooking smells, cigarette smoke, and visible trash from the commercial component of the development. But like any other problem, there are solutions to these problems.
In the end, however, mixed-use properties show great potential when done right. They are sustainable, efficient, and can enliven any neighborhood.
